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Hence, fond deceiver 'Love and despair', Z492

Recordings

'Innocently sexy in the most charming way. Emma Kirkby can never have sounded more celestial. The sound quality is immaculate. This is a lovely record ...'An unqualified delight' (BBC Music Magazine)» More

Details

Hence, fond deceiver! Hence, begone! Hence, and some tamer captive find. Since Hope, thy best companion’s flown Away, why ling’rest thou behind! Naked at first, and blind thou wert, Till blinder, I allow’d thee part In my unwary hospitable heart; But now thou’rt so unruly grown, You needs will make it all your own. And in my vanquished breast Will tyrannize alone.

Cease poor misguided wretch and know, I’ll seek some braver, nobler breast; To some more generous heart I’ll go, That will not blush to own its guest; Blind though I was, my aim was sure, Yet won’t thy coward heart endure The happy wound, nor wait the happier cure.

Too long have I endured the wound, Too long indulged the raging pain, Till I by sad experience found The wound too sure, the cure too vain. Thou mighty love, for such thou art, Withdraw thy fatal, certain dart, Or else to both a mutual flame impart. And warm Dorinda’s breast, As thou has fired my heart.

If then thou wouldst victorious prove, And with success thy wishes crown, With bold assurance speak thy love, And make thy generous passion known; When beauty calls, to whine and die, In cowardice, not modesty; You by pale asking teach her to deny And by your faint pursuit Encourage her to fly.

In vain, fond lovers, Of your Phillis’s scorn you complain; In vain do you talk of darts and of fire, Sigh, languish, lament and expire. Since the nymph dares not grant What you dare not desire, Whilst the brisk, eager lover at his prey boldly flies, And takes the glad captive by welcome surprise.